Our Summary

This research paper is about a study that compared how well different nasal medications work in both normal and surgically altered noses. The three methods tested were nasal drops, nasal spray, and a type of nasal rinse called Neilmed Sinus Rinse. The researchers used models of the nose and sinuses to simulate the delivery of these medications.

In a normal nose, they found that the nasal spray didn’t reach a part of the sinus called the sphenoid sinus, and the drops didn’t cover the front part of the nose well. After simulated surgery, the Neilmed Sinus Rinse had the best coverage in both the sphenoid and frontal parts of the sinuses.

Overall, the Neilmed Sinus Rinse provided the best coverage, followed by the nasal spray and then the nasal drops. The type of surgery and how much of the sinus was removed also affected how well the medication was delivered.

In simpler terms, if you’re trying to deliver medication to the sinuses, a Neilmed Sinus Rinse might be the most effective method, especially if you’ve had sinus surgery.

FAQs

  1. What is the purpose of functional endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis?
  2. How does the type and extent of sinus surgery affect medication delivery?
  3. Which form of medication delivery was found to provide the best distribution in the study?

Doctor’s Tip

A doctor may advise a patient undergoing sinus surgery to consider using a nasal irrigation device, such as the Neilmed Sinus Rinse, for better medication delivery and sinus coverage post-surgery. This can help improve sinus drainage and ensure that medications reach the affected areas more effectively. It is important to follow your doctor’s recommendations and instructions for post-operative care to achieve the best results from the surgery.

Suitable For

Patients who have chronic rhinosinusitis and have not responded well to other treatments are typically recommended sinus surgery. Additionally, patients with structural abnormalities in the sinuses, such as nasal polyps, deviated septum, or sinus tumors, may also benefit from sinus surgery. Patients with severe sinus infections, sinus headaches, or difficulty breathing through the nose may also be candidates for sinus surgery. Ultimately, the decision to recommend sinus surgery is made on a case-by-case basis by an ENT specialist after a thorough evaluation of the patient’s symptoms and medical history.

Timeline

Before sinus surgery:

  1. Patient experiences chronic rhinosinusitis symptoms such as nasal congestion, facial pain, and postnasal drip.
  2. Patient may undergo various treatments such as antibiotics, nasal steroid sprays, and saline irrigation to manage symptoms.
  3. If symptoms persist and imaging studies show significant sinus disease, patient may be recommended for sinus surgery.

After sinus surgery:

  1. Patient undergoes functional endoscopic sinus surgery to improve sinus drainage and intranasal medication delivery.
  2. Patient may experience temporary discomfort and nasal congestion post-surgery.
  3. Patient gradually experiences improved sinus drainage and reduction in symptoms such as nasal congestion and facial pain.
  4. Patient may need to use nasal drops, nasal spray, or nasal irrigation devices for medication delivery post-surgery.
  5. Follow-up visits with the surgeon are scheduled to monitor healing and assess symptom improvement.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What type of sinus surgery will I be undergoing and what are the expected outcomes?
  2. How will the surgery impact my ability to use intranasal medications post-operatively?
  3. Which medication delivery method do you recommend for me following sinus surgery?
  4. Will I need to make any adjustments to my current medication regimen after surgery?
  5. How often should I use the recommended medication delivery method post-surgery?
  6. Are there any potential side effects or risks associated with using intranasal medications after sinus surgery?
  7. Will I need to schedule follow-up appointments to monitor my medication delivery and sinus health post-surgery?
  8. Are there any specific instructions or techniques I should follow when using the recommended medication delivery method post-surgery?
  9. How can I ensure optimal medication delivery and sinus health after surgery?
  10. Are there any lifestyle or dietary changes I should consider to support my recovery and medication delivery post-surgery?

Reference

Authors: Constantinou C, Yap D, Pervaiz A, Bandino F, Jeyaretna S, Martinez-Devesa P, Qureishi A. Journal: J Laryngol Otol. 2024 Mar;138(3):310-314. doi: 10.1017/S0022215123001226. Epub 2023 Jul 18. PMID: 37462121